TEAM ALOHA POSTS 3-2 RECORD IN ARIZONA TOURNAMENT

TEAM ALOHA POSTS 3-2 RECORD IN ARIZONA TOURNAMENT

Info provided by Gregg Hirata
Contact:  Dana Takahara-Dias, 808-258-9991

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Mufi Hannemann’s Hawaii All Stars WEB SITE powered by HawaiiDigitalSports.com for Schedule, Stats etc.

            (PHOENIX) – Team Aloha, the all-star girls basketball squad representing Hawaii, concluded their participation in the 2009 Arizona Elite tournament this weekend at Arizona State University with three victories against two losses.

            The Hawaii girls had two early victories, a 52-38 Thursday scrimmage win against the Spokane Stars Blue, followed by another 40-28 win against Team Concept Fire.  But the team suffered a 39-35 loss in the second round of the tournament against the same Spokane Stars Blue, which had earned a bye as the top-seeded team in the event’s all-star division.

            That loss sent Team Aloha into the consolation bracket on Saturday morning.  The girls bounced back from the previous day’s loss to post a 48-37 victory over the Arizona Elite-Drake girls.  Three hours later, the team faced the Baden Elite squad.  Team Aloha lost on a last-minute three-pointer in overtime, 37-35, to end their quest for a third consecutive title.  Baden Elite went on to win a consolation championship.

            Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who joined head coach Dana Takahara-Dias on the bench, said, “Overall, I think we achieved our purpose, which was to expose our underclassmen to college scouts.  This is the largest NCAA-sanctioned tournament west of the Mississippi at this time of year, and a number of coaches and scouts from schools across the nation approached us to tell us how impressed they were with the play of our girls.

            “This year we decided to play in the aptly named all-star division, which features the very best teams from throughout the western states.  We played very well against the top club squads from Spokane, Phoenix, and Portland.

            “I’ve said time and time again that our girls can compete against the best in the nation, and our continued competitiveness shows the caliber of home-grown talent we have.  It also bears mention that our participation in these sanctioned mainland tournaments has led to a number of our players—who otherwise might have escaped recognition because of limited exposure—coming to the attention of college recruiters.”

            Keith Amemiya, executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and sponsor of the trip, said, “I was very pleased to be a part again of Team Aloha.  Despite only a few practices under their belts, the girls were very competitive against many of the best club teams in the nation, teams that practice together throughout the year.  Our girls are exceptional athletes and our success, not only this year but in the past two events, showed that.”

            Takahara-Dias added, “The college coaches told us how much they respected the hustle, fire, and positive attitude of our girls—and these have become traits that characterize our players.  While I wish the outcome could have included more victories, the girls played very hard, made the sacrifices to be on the team, and represented Hawaii with pride.  I think we acquitted ourselves well and demonstrated our ability to compete and earn the attention of college programs.”

Game summaries

Game 1 (Scrimmage)

Team Aloha 52, Spokane Stars Blue 38

Halftime score:  Team Aloha 20, Spokane Stars Blue 23

Leading scorers:  Kamie Imai­7, Maiki Viela­6, Milika Taufa­6, Kalei Adolpho­6

Game 2

Team Aloha 40, Team Concept Fire 28

Halftime score:  Team Aloha 16, Team Concept Fire 17

Leading scorers: Lia Galdeira­12, Ashley Agcaoili­9

Game 3

Team Aloha 35, Spokane Stars Blue 39

Halftime score:  Team Aloha 21, Team Concept Fire 12

Leading scorer: Kamie Imai­10

Game 4

Team Aloha 48, Arizona Elite-Drake 37

Halftime score:  Team Aloha 16, Arizona Elite-Drake 17

Leading scorers:  Kamie Imai­9, Rachel Tailele­9, Keaton McFadden­7, Melika Taufa­7

Game 5

Team Aloha 35, Baden Elite 37 (overtime)

Halftime score: Team Aloha 18, Baden Elite 11

Leading scorers: Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo­10, Kalei Adolpho­9

            The 2009 Team Aloha included:

·        22–Kalei Adolpho, sophomore center from Molokai;

·        20–Ashley Agcaoili, sophomore guard from Maryknoll;

·        11–Lia Galdeira, freshman guard from Konawaena;

·        3–Kamie Imai, junior guard from Waiakea;

·        12–Kylie Maeda, freshman guard from Iolani;

·        44–Keaton McFadden, junior forward-center from Mid-Pacific;

·        23–Mysha Sataraka, freshman forward from Punahou;

·        31–Rachel Tailele, sophomore guard from Kahuku;

·        21–Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo, sophomore guard from Farrington;

·        55–Milika Taufa, junior center from Lahainaluna;

·        15–Mikela Theommes, junior forward from Roosevelt;

·        13–Maiki Viela, sophomore guard from Lahainaluna; and

·        1–Lori Yamashita, junior guard from Iolani.

This year’s team was selected based on participation in the 16^th annual Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree on February 28, season and post-season accomplishments, and tryouts.  Local sportswriters also submitted their recommendations for the tryout invitations.

The team was selected by a panel consisting of some of the top names in island basketball circles.  They included: Vince Goo, former University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball head coach for 17 years, with a career record of 331-162; Dennis Agena, founder of the Kalakaua Basketball Foundation, which has trained 8,000 keiki on basketball fundamentals and produced many of the top players in the high school and college ranks, and former coach; Da Houl, UH Wahine basketball player from 1983 to 1987 and assistant coach for 12 years under Vince Goo, currently girls varsity assistant coach at Mid-Pacific Institute; Rodney Veary, attorney and Iolani girls varsity assistant coach; and Dana Takahara-Dias.

Team Aloha won the consolation championship in the Arizona Elite tournament last year.  Two years earlier, Team Aloha won the prestigious Nike Storm + Swish Fall Shootout in Santa Barbara.

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